One hour before the induction of general anesthesia midazolam was administered orally as a premedication. After the patient's arrival in the operating theater, standard monitoring was commenced. All the patients were oxygenated. Depending on the study group, either etomidate or thiopental was used as an induction agent for general anesthesia. Both anesthetics were administered according to ideal body weight. When the ciliary reflex disappeared, either suxamethonium chloride or rocuronium bromide was administered, depending on the possible problems in endotracheal intubation. The general anesthesia was maintained with desflurane, continuous intravenous infusion of remifentanil, and repeated doses of rocuronium bromide as required.